Rusk Middle School

Parent Informational Meeting for 8th Grade

Students Taking High School Credit Courses 1

What Courses are offered to 8th Grade Students at Rusk Middle School for High School Credit?• Honors Accelerated CCGPS Coordinate

Algebra/Analytic Geometry• Physical Science• Spanish 1• Latin 1• Intro to Engineering Drawing & Design• HS Band 2

How is my child identified for placement in Honors Accelerated CCGPS Coordinate Algebra/ Analytic Geometry?

This placement track was determined at the beginning of 6th grade based on CCSD County/Middle School criteria consisting of various data points (CRCT results, ITBS results, CogAT results and classroom performance in mathematics).

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How is my child identified for placement in Physical Science?This placement is determined one of two ways:• Linked with Honors Accelerated CCGPS

Coordinate Algebra/Analytic Geometry• CCSD County/Middle School criteria

consisting of various data points (CRCT results, ITBS results, CogAT results and classroom performance in science). 4

How is my child identified for placement in Spanish 1?This placement is determined by CCSD County/Middle School criteria consisting of various data points (CRCT results, ITBS results, CogAT results and classroom performance in language arts and reading).

*Students taking Spanish 1 will take Grade 8 Lit/Comp due to the 8th Grade Reading and Language Arts CRCT. 5

How is my child identified for placement in Latin 1, Intro to Engineering Drawing & Design , or HS Band?• Students who qualified for Spanish may

have elected to take Latin 1.• 7th grade students were recommended for

Drafting by their 7th grade math teachers.• Students were recommended for

placement in the HS Band course. 6

Rusk Middle School Expectations

• Although these courses are taught in middle school, they are considered high school courses carrying Carnegie unit credit weight. Two semesters at the middle school level equate to one full unit of high school credit.

• Classes for high school credit are more difficult than typical middle school courses. They require higher level thinking, reading and writing skills as well as more preparation time outside of class.

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Rusk Middle School Expectations:(continued)

Once a student and his or her parent/guardian agree to enrollment in one or more of these courses and to ensure curriculum integrity, the school will only honor a parent request for schedule changes during and immediately after (2 days after report cards are distributed) the first quarter (nine weeks).

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Important Note RegardingMiddle School ExpectationsAfter this first nine weeks window, all grades for the high school credit classes will automatically be reported on the student’s high school transcript. Hence, parents/ students are not able to opt out of accepting credit for this class(es). Credit will be automatically assigned to the high school transcript.

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Attendance RequirementsThe High School Attendance Policy reads, “Any student having seven or more excused, approved or unexcused absences in a semester will receive no credit for that class unless a waiver is granted by the High School Attendance Committee.” Middle schools will, after the seventh absence, provide a waiver hearing at the request of the student or parent. *1/2 day is considered present at the middle school level.

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Academic CommitmentHOW IS COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS DEFINED?“Level of achievement required in order for a student to enroll in (2) or (4) year colleges & universities & technical college without remediation fully prepared for college level work or immediately enter the workforce, US military, without the need for additional skills training.”

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Transcript ImplicationsHigh school level courses taken and passed in middle school will count towards the 23 total units required to graduate. Honors Accelerated CCGPS Coordinate Algebra/Analytic Geometry will receive an additional 5 points when calculated for NGA (Numeric Grade Point Average)/GPA and ranking purposes; however these additional points are not posted on the transcript.

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Sample Freshman Transcript• Each Semester: You OWN it!• Grades are cumulative• Aug-Dec (Semester 1) – posted to your

transcript, ex: 9th Grade Lit A• Jan-May (Semester 2) posted to your

transcript, ex: would say 9th Grade Lit/Comp B

• Notice that Physical Science has earned a passing grade, but not received credit. Why not? Attendance is taken every period, students must meet grade requirements and attendance requirements.

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EOCT Grading

• EOCT = End-of-Course-Test• For students who entered high school after

July 1, 2011, the EOCT counts as 20% of the student’s final course grade.

Students must earn a 70 or higher final course grade to pass the course and earn credit toward graduation.

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HOPE Implications

While high school level courses taken in middle school count toward graduation and CCSD GPA calculations, they will not be included in the student’s HOPE GPA calculation. The Georgia Student Finance Commission only uses courses taken after a student’s ninth grade entry date in their HOPE GPA.

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•Finish What You Started !!! • Students should be challenged everyday! S t r e t c h e d, but not ripped in half!• Rigor is measured in length (time committed), depth (difficulty

& volume of content), speed (pace in which the depth and breadth is taught)

• Does your child have the ability to do more with less time and still create quality work?

• Motivation: Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic . . . • What does your child want to achieve and how bad do they

want it? • Rigor, Endurance, Motivation, Stamina • Ramp up instead of run out!

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